5-10-20 - San Antonio

This place has a unique charm, as they rely entirely on manual cooking methods without any modern kitchen appliances. There's a glass window looking into the kitchen, and it's impressive to watch their team at work. The Good: The meal started off wonderfully with warm, soft bread and butter that was easy to cut and spread, despite its solid appearance. The entree, beef adobo, was a standout dish; it was served in a rich, brown spiced sauce and was so tender that it fell apart at the touch. The rustic carrots sautéed with thyme were cooked to perfection, and the candied onion added a nice balance to the savory flavors. This was all accompanied by a side of white rice. Sinigang: The soup was more of a broth, featuring chunks of toasted ginger and pork cheek. While it was decent, it wasn't outstanding. The flavor reminded me of a sweet and sour soup, but the ginger pieces were larger than I would have liked, and the pork cheek was a bit tougher than expected. Eating the soup posed a challenge, as it was spread across a skillet, meaning I had to tilt the hot skillet to serve myself—definitely not ideal. The Bad: I was really disappointed with the dessert. Although the menu featured Filipino dishes, and Halo Halo was new to us, my research suggested it should be made with shaved ice, which looks a lot more appealing. Unfortunately, ours came with large frozen chunks of ice that had formed together by the time it reached our table. It was drowning in evaporated milk and garnished with ube, boiled root vegetables, and sweetened beans, topped with ube ice cream. The elements had become trapped in the ice, making it nearly impossible to extract them. The Aftermath: While I appreciate trying something different, it’s more satisfying to have a cohesive meal. We really enjoyed the entree and would consider returning to try other menu items, but I do wish the soup and dessert had been better. Insta@dish_360

As for the food, the first course was an egg that simply didn’t sit well with me. I appreciate a good amount of spice, but the soup lacked balance and depth of flavor. The green bean Caesar and quail were bland, and the guinea fowl was overcooked. To top it off, the dessert was mediocre at best. For the price of $175 per person, I expected far better quality. Honestly, the chefs at Olive Garden could do a better job than those at Gwen. I’d recommend saving your money and dining elsewhere.

A little background on Restaurant Gwendolyn: the establishment is designed to replicate the dining experience of the mid-1800s. They don’t use any electronic devices or kitchen appliances that require electricity, opting instead for traditional cooking methods from that era. The food is delivered fresh daily since they don't store anything overnight, so it's not uncommon for some signature dishes to sell out before your meal. To give you an idea of their authenticity, they brew coffee for your table over an open fire. I dined there for dinner, which requires a reservation, but I've heard that lunch offers a more casual atmosphere. I recommend dressing up a bit for dinner, as Restaurant Gwendolyn is often the venue for special occasions and celebratory meals. The dining experience began with an order of their house-made bread, which I absolutely loved. It was some of the freshest and fluffiest bread I’ve ever had, and they even make their own butter! Each course we received was fit for royalty, with bursts of flavor in every dish that made them irresistible. They also cater to vegan guests by offering a special multi-course experience. I would love to discuss the specific dishes I had, but their menu changes frequently—sometimes daily. If you haven’t yet dined at Restaurant Gwendolyn, I highly recommend you visit at least once. A tip: check out their website to read the full backstory and concept behind the restaurant.

For most of our meal, we were the only guests, which allowed for truly exceptional service throughout. We opted for the 7-course meal, which felt more like 11 courses (especially if you count the bread). While some reviewers found the portions small, I thought it was perfect. By the end, I was quite full, but I was determined to finish everything (though I eventually needed to share one dish with David). Let’s talk about the bread: a recipe that dates back 250 years, complemented by delightful poppy seed butter. The richness of the butter helped mellow out the spice from the first official dish. 1. **Snapper Escabeche**: A delicate bite of snapper and serrano. A strong and memorable start. 2. **African Peanut Stew**: I embarrassingly cleaned my bowl. 3. **Insalata Grande**: A delightful arugula salad with apples, bacon, and a red wine reduction. Absolutely amazing. 4. **Venison Shepherd's Pie**: Hearty and satisfying; it was among my top two dishes of the night. 5. **Rose Sorbet**: Light and refreshing, serving as a perfect palate cleanser. 6. **Smoked Venison Tartare Tartlet**: This was the dish that brought me to tears. It was my ideal bite, served under a smoky goblet that infused the meat with incredible flavor. Simply perfect. 7. **Beef Cheek Ravioli**: A delicious fusion of barbacoa and ravioli! We learned it’s a permanent item on their menu and the head chef's specialty. Incredible. 8. **Kombucha**: The only item I wasn't fond of. 9. **Chicken Tikka Masala**: Tasty skewered chicken served with rice and various sauces. I had to share this dish, as I was getting too full. 10. **Chocolate Pecan Tort**: I can't even begin to express how delicious this was. Truly out of this world. Overall, I'm just in awe, beyond satisfied, and incredibly grateful to have had this experience. The wine we paired with our meal transformed its flavors with each course, creating a magical experience where I genuinely felt rich and royal. This is definitely a special occasion type of restaurant for me, but it was absolutely worth it.

The restaurant has a fantastic theme, focusing on locally sourced ingredients, and the chefs prepare everything in a pre-industrial style—without any electric appliances. If you’re fortunate enough to be seated next to the kitchen, it's truly a remarkable experience. We sampled a variety of dishes and enjoyed every single one! The pasta in truffle cream sauce was the standout of the evening. This place is ideal for a date night, a girls' night out, or simply for a culinary adventure. My photos don't do justice to how beautifully crafted and delicious everything was. Can't wait to return!